In camp to-day several names were proposed for the creek and fall, and after much discussion the name “Minaret” was selected.  Later, this evening, this decision has been reconsidered, and we have decided to substitute the name “Tower” for “Minaret,” and call it “Tower Fall."[G]

General Washburn rode out to make a reconnaissance for a route to the river, and returned about 3 o’clock in the afternoon with the intelligence that from the summit of a high mountain he had seen Yellowstone lake, the proposed object of our visit; and with his compass he had noted its direction from our camp.  This intelligence has greatly relieved our anxiety concerning the course we are to pursue, and has quieted the dread apprehensions of some of our number, lest we become inextricably involved in the wooded labyrinth by which we are surrounded; and in violation of our agreement that we would not give the name of any member of our party to any object of interest, we have spontaneously and by unanimous vote given the mountain the name by which it will hereafter and forever be known, “Mount Washburn.”

In addition to our saddle horses and pack horses, we have another four-footed animal in our outfit—­a large black dog of seeming little intelligence, to which we have given the name of “Booby.”  He is owned by “Nute,” one of our colored boys, who avers that he is a very knowing dog, and will prove himself so before our journey is ended.  The poor beast is becoming sore-footed, and his sufferings excite our sympathy, and we are trying to devise some kind of shoe or moccasin for him.  The rest to-day in camp will benefit him.  Lieutenant Doane is suffering greatly with a felon on his thumb.  It ought to be opened, but he is unwilling to submit to a thorough operation.  His sufferings kept him awake nearly all of last night.

Monday, August 29.—­We broke camp about 8 o’clock, leaving the trail, which runs down to the mouth of the creek, and passed over a succession of high ridges, and part of the time through fallen timber.  The trail of the Indians leads off to the left, to the brink of the Yellowstone, which it follows up about three-fourths of a mile, and then crosses to the east side.  Hauser, Gillette, Stickney, Trumbull and myself rode out to the summit of Mount Washburn, which is probably the highest peak on the west side of the river.  Having an aneroid barometer with us, we ascertained the elevation of the mountain to be about 9,800 feet.  The summit is about 500 feet above the snow line.

Descending the mountain on the southwest side, we came upon the trail of the pack train, which we followed to our camp at the head of a small stream running into the Yellowstone, which is about five miles distant.  As we came into camp a black bear kindly vacated the premises.  After supper some of our party followed down the creek to its mouth.  At about one mile below our camp the creek runs through a bed of volcanic ashes, which extends for a hundred yards on either